Defending national champion Philip Morris hopes for pair of victories Saturday at SoBo

SOUTH BOSTON, VA. — The talent-laden field of NASCAR Whelen All-American Late Model Stock Car Division drivers at South Boston Speedway will be even more impressive Saturday night when twin 75-lap races are run as part of the Mom's Night Out event.

Philip Morris of Ruckersville, Va., the defending NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion, will return to America's Hometown Track for his fourth visit of the young season. Thus far in 2009, Morris, who now owns two NASCAR national crowns, has posted two victories and one third-place finish at South Boston Speedway.

Saturday night, he will have a chance to collect two victories when the Late Model drivers battle it out in twin events. It will mark the first time this year that Morris has competed in a twin event at South Boston Speedway.

"I'm excited and really looking forward to it," Morris said Thursday morning. "We know the competition is going to be very tough down there. It is every year and this year is certainly no exception.

"When you win a race at South Boston, you know you've put in a good night's work," Morris added. "That is a great track and it has some really good competitors there each and every week."

In addition to collecting two wins thus far at South Boston Speedway in 2009, Morris has also reeled off a trio of wins and one runner-up finish at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, VA.

"We've had a good year so far," Morris said. "We just hope we can keep it going at South Boston Saturday night."

A total of five races will be run Saturday on the four-tenths mile asphalt oval. The first event will get the green flag at 7 p.m. In honor of Mother's Day on Sunday, all mothers will be admitted Saturday night for the reduced admission price of $5.

In addition to the twin races for the Late Model Stock Car Division, the Limited Sportsman Division, the Budweiser Pure Stock Division and the touring Allison Legacy Series will also be in action on the four-tenths mile asphalt oval Saturday night.

Justin Johnson, a one-time winner this season sits atop the NASCAR Whelen Late Model Stock Car standings with an 11-point edge over a second-place tie between Dustin Storm and Eddie Johnson in the chase for the championship.

In the Limited Sportsman ranks, Brian Pembelton owns a 23-point cushion over second-place Jeb Burton, who is only six points ahead of a third-place tie between Danny Willis Jr. and Tommy Peregoy. Mickey Cassidy possesses a 26 point lead in the Pure Stock Division standings over second-place Courtney Crosby.

Pit gates will open Saturday at 12:45 p.m. Practice for all divisions will be held from 2:15 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. Grandstand gates will open at 5 p.m. and qualifying time trials will get underway at 5:15 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults. Youth, ages 7-12, will be admitted for $5 when accompanied by a paying adult and children, ages six and under, are admitted free with a paid adult.

For more information, phone the track at (434) 572-4947 or toll free at 1-877-440-1540.